Written Off as Trash, I Activated My Hidden Queen Mode novel Chapter 460

"It's freezing out here," he murmured, his voice softening. "Why didn't you stay home and rest?" He pulled her close, wrapping her in his arms. The cold, ruthless edge he had shown inside vanished instantly, replaced by a gentle warmth.

"Your hands are like ice," Nicole noted, taking them in hers and rubbing them to bring back the heat.

"I'm fine, Nicole. Really." Without another word, he swept her up into his arms and carried her to the car.

Once inside, Nicole watched him with lingering concern. She bit back the questions she wanted to ask, choosing instead to pull him close by his collar so he could rest his head on her shoulder. She had never seen him that cold or that driven by vengeance before. It broke her heart to think that Felix had pushed him to such an extreme.

"Nicole? Do you think I was too cruel?"

"No," she whispered.

"Please," Jasper said, his voice dropping to a vulnerable, almost desperate tone. "Don't be afraid of me."

"I'm not afraid of you," she promised. "I just feel for you. He must have done something unforgivable to make you act that way. That isn't the Jasper I know."

A faint smile touched Jasper's lips. He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "You really think that highly of me?"

She raised an eyebrow and gave him a playful, confident nod. Jasper laughed softly, pinching her cheek before pulling her back into a tight embrace.

"Jasper, don't keep things bottled up anymore," she said. "Talk to me. Even if I can't solve the problem, I can be there to face it with you."

"I will," he promised.

"Are you really coming over to my house tomorrow?" she asked.

"I am. I have to go beg Mr. Shaw to let me marry his daughter."

Nicole smiled. "There's no need to rush. We still have time before the date we set for the wedding."

Jasper's grip tightened around her slightly. "Nicole, I'm in a hurry."

Nicole bit her lip, unable to hide a radiant, happy smile.

*****

The next day at the Shaw estate, Jasper remained at the front gates. Hours had passed, yet he hadn't budged.

"Dad, please just let him in," Nicole pleaded.

Vincent toyed with a cigar, bringing it to his nose to catch the scent, his brow deeply furrowed. To put it kindly, Jasper had prioritized justice over family. To put it bluntly, the man was ruthless.

How had he missed that trait before? Nicole was talented, sure, but she was no match for someone that calculating.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify